“I’m sorry, Nenn,” she said, sensing something horrible happened to him.
“Hirihadie, you have nothing to apologize for.”He cupped her cheek, drawing a shiver from his hot fingers.
“Nanite model complete,” Computer announced.
Grateful for the distraction, Tiny snapped the model off its stilts.The hefty structure of a nanite came to life in her hands.Having studied them, what she held felt right: a hexagonal ball with nozzles protruding off each flat side.She handed it to Nenn, who’d crowded her from behind, warmth pouring off his body with his breath fanning her shoulder.
“Yes, this is it,” he said, his voice filled with awe.
“When you say Drafe has these, what do you mean?”
“The nanites have fused with the symbiotes, forming something…new.”
Her mind reeled.“Have there been any symptoms or side effects?”She gaped, her eyes widening.“When you said your symbiotes form armor, what does it look like?Do you sparkle?”
He barked a laugh.“No.Why do you ask?”
“Vic said Nikko punched her, but she didn’t feel a thing.That something shimmered over her skin.”
Silence met her words.“That…is impossible,” Nenn whispered.“I had to learn how to summon my armor.”
“Oh, it just happens.I don’t think Vic knows how to control it…them.”
A moan snapped Tiny’s head up.No, she’d heard wrong.
“Please,” Vic groaned.
A flush crawled up Tiny’s neck.She didn’t dare glance at Nenn, but she couldn’t sit there and listen for who knew how long.With or without Nenn beside her.“You better not be doing what it sounds like.I may be blind, but I’m not deaf.”
The kissing stopped; whispers and laughter followed.Vic and Drafe hurried past the med bay.Nenn didn’t say anything, and Tiny was at a loss, too.She gathered her confidence around her, strode to the bridge, and sank into the seat in front of the console.With no one here, someone had to be on duty.Nenn trailed her, bringing his quiet presence with him.
He didn’t draw near but stayed by the door.His shifting gave her the impression he leaned against the wall, his arms folded.She liked the imagery even though she couldn’t confirm whether her imagination had run away with itself.Tingles rippled along the right side of her body; that sense that someone was watching her.She angled her head to focus on the singular beep as tension built in her body.Heat coiled, desire throbbed lower, her nipples puckered, and her breathing became shallow.She squeezed her eyes shut, stuck in this situation.Glancing at him would reveal nothing to her without her ability to see his expression.Nor would she ask him what he was doing.
“You are beautiful,” he said.
She gasped, succumbing to the pointless urge to face him.“You didn’t just say that.”Her heart zinged in sweet joy at his unexpected compliment.
“Why not?”He approached, sending a bolt of anticipation through her.
“Um…” What could she say?They barely knew each other?It wasn’t normal behavior?That meant nothing to an alien.She dipped her chin, hoping to hide her confusion.
“Why does your face change color?”he asked as he stroked a cheek.“I like the heat, and it is a pretty pink.”
“Oh.”She whipped her head up, then closed her eyes at having to explain her embarrassment.“A blush forms during overwhelming emotion or exertion.”
“Emotion?”Warmth filled his voice.“Such as?”
She winced and swiveled the chair to break away from his magnetism.Who would’ve thought his touch could scatter her wits?She smothered a borderline hysterical giggle.“Shame, awareness, attraction, anger…”
“Attraction.”He hummed.
She huffed at him snagging on the truth.“It could be any of the others.”
“Shame when you do not concern yourself over your appearance?Anger carries different mannerisms and posture and is often accompanied by yelling.Awareness?Yes, that is possible.”He rested his hands on her shoulders and dug his fingers into the tense muscles, drawing a moan from her as he worked on the knots.“I would blush for you.”
She stilled, her body buzzing with pleasure.“Why are you charming me, Nenn?You cannot think I’ll have sex with you after knowing you for such a short time.”
His breath hitched.“You intrigue me, and I plan to discover everything about you on our return to Ivoy, when matters are settled here.”His fingers gentled.“As to sex…or mating, that is what I very much want to try with you.”
